Expandable vaginal electrode.

摘要

A vaginal electrode (22) adapted to be inserted into a woman's vagina (12) and used as part of a stimulation system (27) to stimulate and constrict muscles surrounding the vagina (12) to prevent the flow of urine through the urethra (18). The electrode (22) includes a nonconductive sheet of material formed into a diametrically compressible spiral tending to unwind. An exterior surface of the sheet contacts the interior vaginal wall after the electrode (22) is inserted into a vagina (12). Conductive electrode elements circumferentially oriented on the exterior surface of the sheet are thereby forced into electrical contact with the vaginal wall. Leads (28) couple electrical stimulation signals to the electrode elements.